Contemporary Home Decorating Guide

- April 27, 2018

What does a “contemporary” home look like? The answer to that question is always changing, so it’s easy to lose track of which trends are currently “in.” If you feel like you’re living in a bygone era, here’s a room-by-room guide to giving your home a modern makeover.

The Contemporary Living Room

Nothing is more minimalistic than a straight line, so it has become the defining feature of contemporary design. Instead of needlessly curvy tables and chairs, select furnishings and accessories that showcase the simplistic beauty of geometric shapes. Glass, metal and stone are all featured prominently in contemporary decor.

In addition to their wide selection of modern living room sets, Demanes Interiors has dozens of accessories including sculptures, wall art and glasswork that can add more personality to your living space. This stone-cut swing sculpture, for instance, makes for an excellent conversation piece standing atop your entertainment center or fireplace mantel.

The Contemporary Kitchen

Giving your kitchen a contemporary facelift doesn’t have to break the bank. A deep clean and a fresh coat of paint go a long way. Lighting is extremely important in the kitchen, especially if you do a lot of cooking, so choose a softer color for your walls that will reflect light. These hanging lights from Lite Source look great over any stone, or wooden kitchen counter.

The Contemporary Dining Room

Glass tables are back in for an obvious reason: They are very easy to clean. If you’re looking for tables and chairs that look both contemporary and timeless, the Elite Modern dining room set from Demanes Interiors checks both of those boxes. Some metal wall art would provide a lovely backdrop for family meals.

The Contemporary Bedroom

Sleep is invaluable, so setting up a comfortable resting place can have a huge positive impact on your overall wellbeing. Choose a theme that suits your personality. This Alf Italia bedroom set, for example, is ideal for anyone who wants their room to feel like its own country. Imagine waking up every morning and stepping onto this beautiful, plush Kane Carpet rug. What better way to start your day?

The Contemporary Home Office

BDI manufactures several home office sets composed of desks, chairs, shelves and cabinets that will make any room look like a respectable place of business. If you don’t have a window to look out of, a live plant sitting next to some abstract green and blue wall art can trick your mind into thinking you’re working outside. If you run your own company, then you might be able to write off some of the remodeling expenses on your taxes.

More Tips for Modern Home Decorating

The terms “modern” and “minimalistic” are often used interchangeably, but that doesn’t mean modern homes have to look like prisons. “Simplistic” and “subtle” are perhaps better descriptors of the contemporary style. Here are some general rules to follow:

1. Choose Neutral Colors – Black and white aren’t the only neutral colors. Beige, ivory, taupe and subtle shades of white are all ideal because they compliment any furnishings. If your walls are already pastel, painting the trim a neutral color can add some balance. Accent walls, or single walls painted a different color than the other walls in the same room, are very popular right now. Covering one wall in a bright, bold hue is a cheap and easy way to breath new life into a room.
2. Incorporate Structural Elements – Some modern homes, especially re-purposed ones, have exposed structural elements such as air ducts hanging from the ceiling or plumbing pipes protruding from the floors. Instead of hiding these elements, cover them in a coat of bold paint to make them part of your decor.
3. Bring in the Plants – As our world becomes increasingly urban, more citydwellers are inviting mother nature inside. House plants aren’t as high maintenance as you may think, and they can improve your air quality by recycling carbon dioxide into oxygen. One large plant is easier to care for than many small ones.
4. Say Farewell to Carpet – People are fed up with cleaning carpet, so wood, tile and vinyl are back in style. That said, an area rug can truly liven up any living space. Forgo multicolor floral print for simpler two-tone patterns like this beautiful Surya rug.
5. Remember: Less is More – Contemporary design values functionality above all else, so embrace the “less is more” approach. It’s OK for sofas to have exposed legs, and it’s OK for beds to go skirtless. Ruffles, fringe, trim and tassels are all superfluous, so why have them? Rather than cluttering every corner of your home with trinkets, embrace the blank space on your floors and walls.

Demanes Interiors Decorates Homes in Peoria, IL

The first essential step to redecorating is deciding on a vision, so if you’ve settled on a “contemporary” look, then you’re already off to a good start. If you’re remodeling your home in Illinois, why not get a professional opinion? In addition to being the state’s leading supplier of contemporary furnishings, Demanes Interiors provides residential and commercial design services in Peoria and surrounding areas. Whether you’re remodeling one room or your entire home, Demanes Interiors can help you along the way. Give us a call, or stop by our store for pricing details.